Van
Takes the High (Tech) Smart
Cards Carry All We're Looking for Stories Federal workers are doing amazing things to deliver government services electronically. Access America E-Gov E-Zine wants to tell these stories. We are looking for stories about federal agencies, or multi-agency partnerships, that are developing a standard, nationwide system to deliver government benefits electronically. Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) enables government to deliver benefits through a single plastic card. In the 21st Century, people who get these benefits can use the card to get cash or a variety of services. For example, they can get cash at an automated teller machine (ATM) and also use the card to pay their rent, check their eligibility for a service (such as Medicaid), or update personal information on a kiosk for the State Department of Motor Vehicles. In just a few years, one card may do a lot of things because federal agencies are working on it now. Stories about EBT or EBT demonstrations or plans can be short, as in a "byte" of about 150 words, or they can be longer feature stories. Write feature stories in plain language with quotes from customers who experience (or may experience) the service electronically and quotes from federal employees and their partners who deliver the service. Include a contact person with phone number and email address. Send your stories to pat.wood@npr.gov or pat.smith@gsa.gov. If you need more information, call Pat Wood, National Partnership for Reinventing Government, (202) 694-0063. Please pass this request along to others who may be interested |
A
43-foot mobile medical/dental clinic and veterans benefits office
is traveling the roads of Florida, providing immediate assistance
to homeless veterans. Four cellular phone connections, two satellite
links, and two laptop computers connect counselors with the veterans'
records and medical histories. Video-conferencing equipment allows
VA physicians to interview patients directly from the mobile unit.
All
of us who use ATM and credit cards know how smart a little plastic
card with a magnetic stripe can be. But plastic cards are getting
smarter. A smart card contains an integrated circuit chip with a
microprocessor and memory. They are portable databases that government
workers can use to work better and faster. The General Services
Administration, in partnership with Navy, opened a Smart Card Technology
Center in Washington, DC, in September 1998. The Center demonstrates
one card storing everything from "cash" to fingerprints to medical
and dental records.